2009 08-20 SB Channel

An overcast day but a very flat ocean produced ideal conditions for krill to be up on the surface again. Many many Blue Whales, including a few lunge-feeding, were seen, and a couple of Humpbacks too. Great!

Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) share a small open ocean wave.
delphinus capensis two riding wake 2009 channel 005
A very close look at a lunge feeding Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) feeding on a patch of red krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) which can be seen on the right. The head and upper jaw is facing the camera and the lower lip/jaw is arched open.
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 003
Whalers on board the Condor Express get a close visit by a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2009 channel 001
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel 042
Ventral pleats expanded and full of water as this Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) lunges to feed on krill.
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 012
The sleak, low profile of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) head.
balaenoptera musculus head 2009 channel 007
The left side flanks and dorsal fin of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus dorsal fin 2009 channel 001
A sideways lunge feeding move by a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 024
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus capensis 2009 channel 001
Image 1 of 2: A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) on its right side closes its mouth to expel seawater and strain out the krill. The back side of the animal is facing the camera and the ventral pleats are visible to the top.
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 015
Image 2 of 2: A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) on its right side closes its mouth to expel seawater and strain out the krill. The back side of the animal is facing the camera and the ventral pleats are visible to the top.
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 016
A close look at the back and blowhole of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus spout 2009 channel 012
A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) on its back, lunge feedng.
balaenoptera musculus lunge feeding 2009 channel 057
Two Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) side by side.
balaenoptera musculus two 2009 channel 029
One Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) lunges with its mouth wide open as a second whale spouts.
balaenoptera musculus two one lunge feeding 2009 channel 037
Image 1 of 2: A small bump of blue water with red krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) popping out in droves as they try to escape the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) lunging at them from below.
balaenoptera musculus krill popping 2009 channel 026
Image 2 of 2: Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) lunges at a ball of krill. We are viewing the ventral pleats and left pectoral fin as this whale has rolled over on its right side to feed. (Head is to the left of the photo).
balaenoptera musculus krill popping 2009 channel 030
A Common Murre (Uria aalge),
uria aalge 2009 channel 002
Two Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) side by side.
balaenoptera musculus two 2009 channel 013
A look across the broad back of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaeangliae 2009 channel 028
Tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) showing rake markings from an Orca attack.
megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke 2009 channel 023
A small flock of Red Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus).
phalaropus lobatus flock water 2009 channel 002
Three Red Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus), the upper left bird is feeding on krill (Thysanoessa spinifera).
phalaropus lobatus krill mouth thysanoessa spinifera 2009 channel 008
A wiley Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) inside Santa Barbara Harbor.
phoca vitulina 2009 harbor 009

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2009 08-20 SB Channel

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